The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-14
DR.. BACON TO STEP OUT.
HIS CONGREGATION WILL NOT Ex-
TEND HIM A CALL.

Nu6SllOIl ny DdllOL-DI. odCOl H6'
view of His Years Work-The Vote
Against Him 1876 to 119.
There is grave doubt whether the mind:
of all the members of the Independent
Presbyterian Church were centered upon
the prayers and praises that assembled from
the sanctuary yesterday morning, for there
was feeling that every one was laboring
under more or less suppressed excitement.
1t was a thoroughly attentive congregation,
however, and the silence that
prevailed was impressive, not
to say awful Every one was con
trolling him or herself so masterfully that
it was painful, and when DR.. Bacon gave
out his text, there was hush that was pro
found. His text was from the Second
Epistle of St John, v, >;
And now beseech thee not as though wrote
new commandment unto thee, but that
which we had from the beginning, that we love
one another.
Dr. Bacon was expected to launch himself
right into dissertation upon the then ex-
listing crisis, but he did not. He preached
for some time upon the duty of loving one
another, calling attention to the fact that
the Christian religion is the only religion
that makes love imperative; that love is not
merely a passion of the soul, but duty
that man owes to man. At length a rustic
of skirts, the murmur of general moving,
announced that tine doctor had ceased to
speak of love and had taken up the long eX
pected question, and every one shifted their
position and settled down comfortably to
hear him
THE ISSUE AT HAND.
After reminding his hearers that they
were about to go forth to an important
duty, DR.. Bacon said: 81 have looked for
ward to this time with deep solicitude and
prayerful earnestness, without, however,
any feeling of personal interest. What is
to be the result of the approaching vote is
no business of mine whatever. | do not
allow myself to become interested in it. |
put it away from me- But with what spirit
you go there, with what consideration, and
kindness and Christian feeling concerns
me- 1t is proper, considering the business
before you, to review the twelve months
that have been with you ] was surprised
in my distant home to receive an
invitation to come to you for month. 1t
seemed to me that | could not do good in a
strange city, and | sent to the committee
my published writings to show my unfitness
for the work, but the committee would not
hear me. All other doors stood closed to
me, while this one was thrown wide open
so | came, thinking it was Gods will.
by a unanimous vote, am informed,
was asked to remain for twelve months. |
received my charge from that venerable old
man DR.. Arson, and promised him that as
son TO father | would never say word or
do thing that he could not approve, and
such have been the relations between us--he
aiding me with fatherly counsels and admo-
nitions receiving them with filial respect
and reverence.
OFFERED TO RESIGN.
Perhaps" he said. 'you would like to
hear of an incident that has never been
spoken of before During my enforced alb
sence | heard that DR.. Arson showed re-
newed vigor, and had reganed his health
and strength. | wrote to him and told him
that if he was well again he might desire to
resume his work, and if he did / would re-
sign II. reply he said that he would not
think of anything so improper. l look
back upon the last year with Joy and
gratefulneSs There have been failures, of
course; there have been some who have
looked kindly upon one who has come among
you at your own bidding, with heart full
of love for this people and a desire to do
good to this congregation. | have comfort
ed some when in trouble; l have removed
the doubts from perplexed minds; | have
turned some wandering feet back to the
paths of Righteousness. have been a faith
full minister of Jesus Christ.
The term of my ministry has come to a
close and the vote is to be taken to decide
L
say to you that no one will be less my friend
for voting no, and no one more my friend
for voting yes. Let me make one request
of you. Take the vote in silence Insult
ing and offending things have been said in
public, allegations and inuendoes have been
printed in the form of questions to iniure
and cast opprobrium upon an innocent
man, and an editor has been found who for
cash consideration, will hold up an inno-
cent family to the contempt and scorn of
the community. The honor of this church
has been impeached by one of its officers:
this church whose only fault has been its
loug liberation of unworthy persons 1t
may be that some one may reiterate these
things in your meeting. II they do, beg
of you, for my sake, not to answer them.
The peace OF God be with you"
THE ELECTION
After the singing of a hymn DR.. Bacon
pronounced the benediction and dismissed
the congregation. Nearly all went at once
to the Sunday school room where several
members who were not in church We're
found waiting After some little time
Thomas was chosen chairman. This
was considered a victory for the
anti-Baconites, as Mr.. Thomas was
their candidate for the chair. Upon as
Stunning the chair Mr.. Thomas explained
the object of the meeting, and said
UfldJ UHS members SnOulu all con-
slider carefully, and in a Christian
spirit what course they would pursue, for
their action would have its effect upon the
church in time and in eternity Mr. J. l..
Whatley was chosen as Secretary, and Col
Charles Fl. Olmstead, acted as Clerk. As
soon as the organization was effected Col.
Olmstead said:
''Mr. Chairman, after the call for this
meet ng was sent out various consultations
were held, and it was decided TO issue a
second call"
Capt. r. G. Fleming here interrupted.
81 call the gentleman to order. We came
here to vote upon one question, and that only
is before the meeting"
Mr.. Thomas-I will allow Col. Olmstead
to go on provided he will consent that /
shall stop him if find that he is out of
order.
Capt. j. B. West then moved that all per-
sons who were not voters be requested to re-
tire. The motion was carried and several
ladies withdrew.
The chair was then called upon to decide
whether proxies held good in the meeting,
and his decision was that they did
Col Olmstead, resuming said: 1.-THE re-
suit of these conferences was that we de-
termined to move that the vote on the per-
manent call be postponed"
POINT OF ORDER